27/05/2005
Contest winners...
You must forgive me for not posting your winning entries tonight. I am totally whacked- hope that translates into every language and dialect!!:))
Am on with an exciting new project, and now that life is more jam-packed full than ever, have to allocate space for certain things... Geez, need someone to sort me out in the same way that my indispensable, and totally adorable Vera, sorts out my house, whilst I am locked inside the writing cave.
And here's the next Scoop on the Scoop that appears in my current newsletter...
Vera, you have a starring role in my next book!!! Know you look in here... and this is my tribute to you. Like I sign the books I give you- I couldn't do it without you... and now, here's the proof!
When my 'h' needs another woman she can trust, a woman to call upon, to depend upon, who does she call up? Why, Vera, of course!
Love to all, and especially, Vera!!!
Happy reading everyone!
Susan
Am on with an exciting new project, and now that life is more jam-packed full than ever, have to allocate space for certain things... Geez, need someone to sort me out in the same way that my indispensable, and totally adorable Vera, sorts out my house, whilst I am locked inside the writing cave.
And here's the next Scoop on the Scoop that appears in my current newsletter...
Vera, you have a starring role in my next book!!! Know you look in here... and this is my tribute to you. Like I sign the books I give you- I couldn't do it without you... and now, here's the proof!
When my 'h' needs another woman she can trust, a woman to call upon, to depend upon, who does she call up? Why, Vera, of course!
Love to all, and especially, Vera!!!
Happy reading everyone!
Susan
26/05/2005
Sandhurst...
I had an interesting mail from another Susan whose grandmother married an Englishman from Sandhurst.
Sandhurst is our most famous military college, as I have good reason to know, my beloved stepfather having attended Sandhurst and winning The Sword, which is the highest honour the college can bestow. Sprog minor now has that sword as a memento.
My stepfather joined the Coldstream Guards, and I still have the photograph taken after his 'passing-out' parade at Sandhurst. There is something so noble and steady in his gaze, and in the gaze of all his comrades, and it is so terrible to think that so many of them didn't make it through the Second World War.
Although he survived with 'only' severe damage to his lungs, my stepfather suffered some terrible mental scars that refused to fade with time, and he always refused to discuss what had caused these- unlike today, where we see so little, and yet we are so ready to complain about the smallest thing.
If your grandfather went to Sandhurst Susan, you should be very proud of him.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Sandhurst is our most famous military college, as I have good reason to know, my beloved stepfather having attended Sandhurst and winning The Sword, which is the highest honour the college can bestow. Sprog minor now has that sword as a memento.
My stepfather joined the Coldstream Guards, and I still have the photograph taken after his 'passing-out' parade at Sandhurst. There is something so noble and steady in his gaze, and in the gaze of all his comrades, and it is so terrible to think that so many of them didn't make it through the Second World War.
Although he survived with 'only' severe damage to his lungs, my stepfather suffered some terrible mental scars that refused to fade with time, and he always refused to discuss what had caused these- unlike today, where we see so little, and yet we are so ready to complain about the smallest thing.
If your grandfather went to Sandhurst Susan, you should be very proud of him.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
25/05/2005
The Wanderer's Return!
Hi there, it's so good to be back!
I shall be posting the name of my first prizewinner and their winning recipe tomorrow, and hopefully trotting down to my local post office to send off their prize on the same day!
I have so many projects on the go I feel rather like the man in the circus who has to keep twenty or so plates in the air at the same time... But rather that, than be the sad clown sitting on his own with his chin in his hand...
Talking of clowns, I hated them as a child. In fact I was downright terrified of them. And wasn't there a horror flic that played exactly to that fear- so it seems I wasn't the only one to be hiding under my seat when they tore round the circus ring creating havoc!
My most exciting news today is that my lovely ed' has just confirmed that my last but one book will be the first in a new Presents miniseries launching in time for Christmas in the UK, and welcoming in the New Year in the States.
I can't wait to tell you more about it. This book was particularly enjoyable to write as it incorporates a lot of the elements my readers have asked for.
I hope you love reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I wouldn't have so much energy (getting up at 5.30 am every morning in the week to start writing at seven!) if it wasn't for you- so keep those ideas coming!!
That's just given me an idea for a new competition... how about you supply the name of my next hero?! Does that sound like fun? Just no Cuthbert's or Peregrine's, OK?!!
Lots of love, and happy reading everyone!
Susan
I shall be posting the name of my first prizewinner and their winning recipe tomorrow, and hopefully trotting down to my local post office to send off their prize on the same day!
I have so many projects on the go I feel rather like the man in the circus who has to keep twenty or so plates in the air at the same time... But rather that, than be the sad clown sitting on his own with his chin in his hand...
Talking of clowns, I hated them as a child. In fact I was downright terrified of them. And wasn't there a horror flic that played exactly to that fear- so it seems I wasn't the only one to be hiding under my seat when they tore round the circus ring creating havoc!
My most exciting news today is that my lovely ed' has just confirmed that my last but one book will be the first in a new Presents miniseries launching in time for Christmas in the UK, and welcoming in the New Year in the States.
I can't wait to tell you more about it. This book was particularly enjoyable to write as it incorporates a lot of the elements my readers have asked for.
I hope you love reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I wouldn't have so much energy (getting up at 5.30 am every morning in the week to start writing at seven!) if it wasn't for you- so keep those ideas coming!!
That's just given me an idea for a new competition... how about you supply the name of my next hero?! Does that sound like fun? Just no Cuthbert's or Peregrine's, OK?!!
Lots of love, and happy reading everyone!
Susan
18/05/2005
Wonderful and terrible...
The pressure of work is both wonderful and terrible. And if I only manage to get here once a week, please know that my thoughts are with my most supportive and wonderful readers every time I sit down at my desk.
I hope you enjoy my new books coming out- in the UK very soon, in June, The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress, has a 'reader letter' from me that fully explains my motivation behind this book that I so enjoyed writing.
And in August in the US, The Sheikh's Captive Bride is a book I felt very strongly about when I wrote it- as I still do. Being a mother myself. I hope you know what I mean when you read it.
There are some very exciting things happening in my writing life right now, which I will share with you just as soon as I can.
Thank you for being so patient!
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
I hope you enjoy my new books coming out- in the UK very soon, in June, The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress, has a 'reader letter' from me that fully explains my motivation behind this book that I so enjoyed writing.
And in August in the US, The Sheikh's Captive Bride is a book I felt very strongly about when I wrote it- as I still do. Being a mother myself. I hope you know what I mean when you read it.
There are some very exciting things happening in my writing life right now, which I will share with you just as soon as I can.
Thank you for being so patient!
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
12/05/2005
Dopey...
Just when I think I can't make any more ridiculous mistakes- having made some pretty ridiculous ones in the past, I send in a manuscript to my ed' with a whole chapter missing.
Blame it on the computer? Nah! 'Fraid not. It was only when I was smugly sitting back after a morning's work- and my morning starts at 6.30am, so we're talking a well deserved break here, that I settled down to read what I'd sent in and thought, 'Hang on a minute...'
Yep, that crucial chapter was still in my head and hadn't made it on to the page.
Never mind. I'm having fun with it now, even if my eyes are complaining.
Enough! They shriek!
Oh, be quiet, I've got work to do.
Don't worry, I'm still hovering just the right side of sanity.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Blame it on the computer? Nah! 'Fraid not. It was only when I was smugly sitting back after a morning's work- and my morning starts at 6.30am, so we're talking a well deserved break here, that I settled down to read what I'd sent in and thought, 'Hang on a minute...'
Yep, that crucial chapter was still in my head and hadn't made it on to the page.
Never mind. I'm having fun with it now, even if my eyes are complaining.
Enough! They shriek!
Oh, be quiet, I've got work to do.
Don't worry, I'm still hovering just the right side of sanity.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
11/05/2005
Dropped everything today...
But fortunately, not my knickers.
Today was birthday of LFG (lovely French girlfriend- of my son)
Sprog minor (son), being down in London on business had to leave aforementioned LFG on her own. Learning she had a hospital appointment first thing this morning, I thought- as you would, 'what a plop!'
Therefore sped over the backbone of England to enjoy lunch and convivial company with very lovely French girlfriend.
Back to the writing cave reinvigorated tomorrow!
love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Today was birthday of LFG (lovely French girlfriend- of my son)
Sprog minor (son), being down in London on business had to leave aforementioned LFG on her own. Learning she had a hospital appointment first thing this morning, I thought- as you would, 'what a plop!'
Therefore sped over the backbone of England to enjoy lunch and convivial company with very lovely French girlfriend.
Back to the writing cave reinvigorated tomorrow!
love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
10/05/2005
Playing with time...
Taking a break having been 'at it' for seven hours. Of course, the dog took me out and made sure I had lunch so she could share it!
Been playing with a word for around half an hour. There always seems to be a pivotal word, or sentence in a manuscript- sometimes more than one- that can take a story this way... or that way. Sometimes a break is all that's needed to tell you which direction to take. Let's hope this is one of those occasions!!
Of course, I'm also waiting for a mail from my ed' so any excuse to get on the computer upstairs (I don't work on a computer with access to the Internet for obvious reasons-I'm technophobe enough without risking my baby to the vagaries of the ether).
When is the weather going to warm up here in the UK BTW?!
Yes the sun is shining, but it's freezing.
Yikes! inspiration has struck and I have to go. The sunshine always does it for me!
Happy reading and writing everyone!
Susan
Been playing with a word for around half an hour. There always seems to be a pivotal word, or sentence in a manuscript- sometimes more than one- that can take a story this way... or that way. Sometimes a break is all that's needed to tell you which direction to take. Let's hope this is one of those occasions!!
Of course, I'm also waiting for a mail from my ed' so any excuse to get on the computer upstairs (I don't work on a computer with access to the Internet for obvious reasons-I'm technophobe enough without risking my baby to the vagaries of the ether).
When is the weather going to warm up here in the UK BTW?!
Yes the sun is shining, but it's freezing.
Yikes! inspiration has struck and I have to go. The sunshine always does it for me!
Happy reading and writing everyone!
Susan
08/05/2005
British Royalty...
I've just received a mail from one of my friends in the US asking if I would give an update on the monarch here in the UK.
Well, always happy to help whenever I can Elli from Cleveland.
Today is quite a red letter day for our royal family, as it happens.
Today, Prince Harry begins his officer training at Sandhurst, which is our top military training facility. And, I'm extremely proud to say, the establishment where my late stepfather won the cadet's sword for being the best cadet in his year.
Prince Harry has had a mixed press, but I think he has behaved pretty much like any teenage boy- with one exception. If I thought any child of mine would sport the swastica- even as a joke, I would not be amused. We are often kidded along by our peer group into believing this, or that, would be fun, or fashionable. Let's all think for ourselves, and at all times.
Despite that faux pas, I wish him well. Goodness knows, which one of us can stand up and say we never made a mistake. And let's all of us be thankful that we didn't do so in the public eye.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Well, always happy to help whenever I can Elli from Cleveland.
Today is quite a red letter day for our royal family, as it happens.
Today, Prince Harry begins his officer training at Sandhurst, which is our top military training facility. And, I'm extremely proud to say, the establishment where my late stepfather won the cadet's sword for being the best cadet in his year.
Prince Harry has had a mixed press, but I think he has behaved pretty much like any teenage boy- with one exception. If I thought any child of mine would sport the swastica- even as a joke, I would not be amused. We are often kidded along by our peer group into believing this, or that, would be fun, or fashionable. Let's all think for ourselves, and at all times.
Despite that faux pas, I wish him well. Goodness knows, which one of us can stand up and say we never made a mistake. And let's all of us be thankful that we didn't do so in the public eye.
Love to all, and happy reading!
Susan
Missing Reno...
Since deciding that pressure of work simply will not allow me to indulge myself by going to either the RWA or RNA conferences in Reno US, or Egham Surrey UK respectively, I have been pining.
I get some solace with my bi-monthly writers meetings here in the UK, but the chances to see my many friends in the US are so few and far between I feel truly frustrated.
I have a plan.
Dh expressed a wish to go somewhere warm and sunny after Christmas, instead of throwing ourselves off a mountain, as we usually do.
How about combining both, I said innocently.
What do you mean? he demanded in true Victor Meldrew (i.e. grumpy) style.
Why don't we ski the States this year, and then fly down to Florida...?
Believe me, I've got absolutely everything crossed- and it ain't half uncomfortable!
Love to all, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Susan
I get some solace with my bi-monthly writers meetings here in the UK, but the chances to see my many friends in the US are so few and far between I feel truly frustrated.
I have a plan.
Dh expressed a wish to go somewhere warm and sunny after Christmas, instead of throwing ourselves off a mountain, as we usually do.
How about combining both, I said innocently.
What do you mean? he demanded in true Victor Meldrew (i.e. grumpy) style.
Why don't we ski the States this year, and then fly down to Florida...?
Believe me, I've got absolutely everything crossed- and it ain't half uncomfortable!
Love to all, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Susan
07/05/2005
fingers...pies...
Yep, I've got my fingers in so many pies right now I'm having to cut myself some space with a power saw.
There's an exciting new Presents bio coming out, which I had to work on with my ed' last week along with my current wip, proposed wip and wip already submitted and in the process of being revised.
I think the new bio is fun... and the surprising thing is I wrote it straight with some fun bits added in blue to put a smile on my hard-working ed's face... I thought these would be cut... but everyone at head office yelled, no, keep them in... let everyone know you (What? For the crazy woman I really am?) If they've got the confidence to go ahead and print the truth...
Sounds good to me!
Love to all- enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!
Susan
There's an exciting new Presents bio coming out, which I had to work on with my ed' last week along with my current wip, proposed wip and wip already submitted and in the process of being revised.
I think the new bio is fun... and the surprising thing is I wrote it straight with some fun bits added in blue to put a smile on my hard-working ed's face... I thought these would be cut... but everyone at head office yelled, no, keep them in... let everyone know you (What? For the crazy woman I really am?) If they've got the confidence to go ahead and print the truth...
Sounds good to me!
Love to all- enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!
Susan
02/05/2005
The Frog Prince...
There's a new release coming out on May 18th, written by my great friend, Jane Porter.
Yes, beautiful Jane of the fabulous afternoon teas!
The Frog Prince promises to be a cracking read- and if I know Jane, it will be just that.
Go to Amazon now to read the blurb. The cover is one of the best I've seen... I'm already on the heroine's side. I am sure you will be too!
Happy reading everyone!
Susan
Yes, beautiful Jane of the fabulous afternoon teas!
The Frog Prince promises to be a cracking read- and if I know Jane, it will be just that.
Go to Amazon now to read the blurb. The cover is one of the best I've seen... I'm already on the heroine's side. I am sure you will be too!
Happy reading everyone!
Susan
